N320 in 9mm

[jcwallace84]

So I've decided the price difference of $10 over 1,500+ rounds wasn't too big of a deal and decided to buy some VV N320.

I loaded 4.0gr of N320 in 9mm 124gr Ranier RN, win primers, 1.150 OAL
Quickload predicts this to be 80% of max pressure, and 1062fps

These would not quite cycle the slide of an HK P30L, I didn't chrono it since it didn't even cycle.

I'm going to try 4.2gr (90% of max pressure, 1098fps)

Has anyone else around here used N320 for 9mm, especially in heavier to cycle pistols?

I may give up on using N320 for this particular combo and switch to N340 I have, I've loaded up a few at 4.9gr of N340 (81% of max pressure, 1107fps)

and some at 5.1gr of N340 (90% of max pressure, 1145fps)

I will have to see how those do sometime this week.

The reason I don't like hanging too close to max is because I used to load 9mm with bullseye towards the higher end and being dumb used Lee's number that came with their die set. Now I have a bit of bolt face erosion to show for it. Yup, should have checked for other signs of pressure closer at first.

 

[1SOW]

I load 98% n320 for two (three if I count my son's) pistols.
These three are for 9mm comp. at about 1040 FPS with four main types of 124gr jacketted bullets.

I use 340 for my SD loads in a Sig at 1150-1200 depending on the 124gr JHP bullet.
The Sig will fire my light loads with no problems at all. Actually shoots well with the n320 loads.

Maybe you're recoil spring is a little too heavy, or the pistol could be low-rd-count and hasn't seated the friction areas yet?.

 

[jcwallace84]

The P30 and P30L has a history of more than just me at being stiff on the recoil spring, or just being a heavy slide or something. Factory American Eagle 115gr would also not cycle early on in this gun (for me). I've shot about 1k through it so far, mostly 124gr, +p for a couple boxes too. It really was built to handle the +p well, but not light stuff. I wish they made a lighter spring, but I haven't found one yet.

I'd like to look into getting a P226 E2, but also i'm left handed and the ambi P30 appealed to me.

I think the N340 with a little more kick/pressure may cycle better, but I have yet to test this. I may just use the N320 for heavier bullets or 45acp.

 

[Zak Smith]

I shot a lot of N320 in 9mm before I switched to Titegroup. Good powder!

 

[Walkalong]

I am shooting 3.9 Grs under an X-Treme 124 Gr HP loaded at 1.060 OAL. It cycles my 1911s, a CZ75, and an XDM. In my Colt 1911 .38 Super with a 9MM barrel the brass drops in a pile just to the right of my feet. Soft shooting, clean, accurate. They run right at 1050 FPS (Last time chronoed they were at 1063 @ 82 degrees from a 5" barrel). I wouldn't go much higher than 4.0 Grs.

N340 is excellent in 9MM as well with 124/5 Gr bullets, but I haven't worked up a soft load with it, it has all been near or at max.

N330 is excellent for medium loads in 9MM.

 

[jmorris]

I use 147's for my minor loads because they feel softer to me.

3.1 of VV N310 with a Berry's 147 at 1.160" is the best load I have found.

3.3-3.4 of N320 or Titegroup with the same [email protected]" is not too bad either. The VV powders cost a little more but as you point out, the powder is the cheap part and the VV powders are a lot cleaner. Nice if you are shooting suppressed.

FWIW the loads above have worked in everything I have tried them in except the ported barrel of the MP5 SD.

 

[Walkalong]

I have never tried 147s in 9MM. I guess I should.

 

[jcwallace84]

So, I also wonder if the stepped chamber in the HK changes extraction? And for the life of me I can't find any aftermarket recoil springs for a P30L

I should have gotten a sig : /

 

[jmorris]

The AET barrels I have in my SVI's are also fluted, no problem.

The reason the load doesn't work in the MP5 SD is because of the barrel porting designed to bleed off gas using 115 grain loads making them subsonic.

The load runs fine in the regular MP 5

 

[jcwallace84]

Well, just got back from shooting my new loads in the P30L

These velocities are estimates from quickload, I could find my chrony for today's shooting.

4.2gr (90% of max pressure, 1098fps) - these cycled fine every time but a little bit weak, a very soft load, no pressure signs.

4.9gr of N340 (81% of max pressure, 1107fps) - these cycled even better, could tell it is a different powder, a bit more rear kick

5.1gr of N340 (90% of max pressure, 1145fps) - these were great, cycled better, had factory like kick and this is supposedly getting close to American Eagle 124gr factory velocity. No pressure signs.

So it was just the 4.0gr and below of N320 that was giving me problems. I might try 4.3gr of N320 but quickload says that's 95% of max, and 4.4gr is 100% of max pressure, since my powder throws are +/- 0.1gr, hmm. 4.2 of N320 worked well enough and had such little kick, my other favorite might be 4.9 of N340. If I could ever find N330 then I'd even have more figuring out to do!

 

[Walkalong]

I have not tried downloading N340 in 9MM. I will have to load up a few to try. Maybe N330 as well, but it was cranky in .45 ACP at that low pressure level.

 

[1SOW]

N320 is good up to max/ about 1100+/- FPS with 124/125gr 9mm. Wrong powder for hotter loads. You need the slower denser Vits to keep pressures reasonable.

 

[1SOW]

Walkalong, the 330 I'm told works well. The 340 does work for 130PF and shoots fairly clean too; but for light 124/125 9mm under 1080-ish, I'd stick with 320-330.

I have loaded some some 130 and 135gr under 340 and they ran okay, but so does 320 with less powder needed.